Who Gets a Liver Transplant First?

8/20/2013 1:03PM

Where you live determines how long you wait for a new liver, but Johns Hopkins researchers propose a plan that prioritizes a patient’s need for a liver, rather than their zip code. (Photo: Associated Press)

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

I ... it was sure to read it again in his California home ... to a temporary move to Florida to help save his life I received a transplant on the twentieth the two thousand twelve ... sure they're needed a new bidder after hepatitis B infection ... like in real estate ... it was all a matter of location if you are seeking any deliver now where you live ... will directly impact whether you for ... sure bear waited a year on the transplant list in California and got sick or ... in Florida he waited a few months into the liver I feel like I'm fifteen years younger ... the late Apple CEO Steve jobs want and then this for his liver transplant into thousandnine but not everyone can afford a move for travel to get on a shorter wait list this geographic in equity ... is not consistent with our goal as the transplant community Johns Hopkins researchers think they may have a way to make the system more fair it involves taking a cue from politicians ... gerrymandering ... the country is currently divided into eleven liver transplant regions that only share organs on a limited basis ... read shows areas with the sickest patients a time of transplants the police actions help cure patients who didn't have to wait Islam is this the approach to redraw congressional districts is used researchers say the liver regions could look more like bits ... here we want the balance of me and supply ... it is ... possible in each are itching to ... the United Network for organ sharing is considering the idea ... if adopted the risk of dying